Sarah Hopkins Winkel

Sarah was the church organist at Westbury United Methodist Church for over 4 decades and was a valued member of the community. Sarah grew up in Brookshire, Texas and began playing piano and flute for her church when she was in fifth grade. Sarah continued to perform and accompany others at Katy High School and during her time at Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, Texas. Sarah was in the Bearkat marching band, Women’s Chorus and was a favored accompanist of Virginia Irvin.

After college, as Sarah started adult life with her new family, she continued to play the organ at churches from Bryan to Brooklyn to New Orleans and finally settling in Houston. Sarah was the organist for Grace UMC, Children’s Choir Director at Westbury UMC, organist for Shepherd Drive UMC and finally came back home to Westbury UMC in 1976 to finish out her career. Organist, Assistant Music Director, and Preschool Music Teacher were just a few of her many titles.

Outside of Westbury UMC, Sarah taught private lessons as well as accompanied for many junior and high school band and orchestra students. She was the pianist for numerous Westbury High School musical productions. Sarah also accompanied at the collegiate level for the vocal studio of Eugene Tally-Schmidt at Houston Baptist University. One of Sarah’s proudest musical accomplishments was playing with Houston Bronze Ensemble, an auditioned community of advanced handbell ringers. As a member of American Guild of Organists - Houston Chapter, Sarah continued to hone her organist skills and studied under Dr. Robert Bennett.

While Sarah loved sharing her musical talents with the community, she took the most pride in serving God, her family, and friends.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kermit Winkel; son Clifford Slocomb; and grandson Brian Jackson.

She is survived by son Don Slocomb Jr and wife Susan; son Sam Slocomb and wife Brenda; daughter Lois Rutherford and husband Steve Rutherford; stepdaughter Francine Winkel; stepson George Winkel and wife Winnie; stepdaughter Margaret King; daughter-in-law Susan Parker; grandchildren Randy Slocomb; Samantha Slocomb Smith; Sarah Rutherford; Ben Slocomb; Stephen Rutherford; Damon Jackson and wife Krystal; and Hamal Winkel and wife Laura.

The family is grateful for the services of Clarewood House Extended Care Center and Vantage Hospice who cared for Sarah in her later years.

A Celebration of Sarah's Life will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday January 13, 2024, at Westbury United Methodist Church, 5200 Willowbend Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77096. A reception will immediately follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Westbury UMC Special Music Fund 5200 Willowbend Blvd Houston, Texas 77096 or The Clarewood House Charitable Trust 7400 Clarewood Dr Houston, Texas 77036